Sterilization device utilizing low intensity UV-C radiation and ozone

ABSTRACT

A sterilization system uses ultraviolet radiation and ozone to eradicate deadly pathogens to sterilize a surface of an object or wound/incision site at an adjustable intensity level. The sterilization system has ultraviolet emitters that emit ultraviolet light in wavelengths that kill pathogens and in wavelengths that produce ozone at the sites, therefore killing/disabling several hard-to-kill pathogens. The sterilization system has an intensity control and proximity detectors to enable ultraviolet emission only when the system is properly located near or against the surface so as to protect from unwanted radiation from the ultraviolet light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/409,792 filed on May 11, 2019 issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,596,282 on Mar. 24, 2020; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/683,921 issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,335,505 on Jul. 2, 2019, the disclosures of both are incorporated byreference.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of medicine and more particularly toa system for sterilizing objects such as the skin of a human or medicaldevices.

BACKGROUND

The rising problem of antibiotic resistance has led to fears thatmedicine will return to the situation of a century ago when extensivewounds and surgery often led to death due to uncontrollable infection.These fears have in turn spurred a major research effort to findalternative antimicrobial approaches which, it is hypothesized, willkill resistant micro-organisms while being unlikely to cause resistanceto develop to themselves. At the present time many internationalresearch efforts to discovery new antimicrobials are underway. Recently,the emphasis is on how to take precautions against creating, and ifpossible eliminate multidrug resistance in concert with exploring newmethods to kill pathogenic microorganisms. Karen et al. in “Tacklingantibiotic resistance,” Bush K, Nat Rev Microbiol. 2011 Nov. 2;9(12):894-6, recently pointed out that the investigation of novelnon-antibiotic approaches, which can prevent and protect againstinfectious diseases should be encouraged, and should be looked upon as ahigh-priority for research and development projects.

The best known source of sterilization is UV-C radiation (wavelength:200-280 nm). Among this wavelength range, the optimum range of 250-270nm has the optimum potential ability to inactive microorganisms becauseit is strongly and mainly absorbed by nucleic acids of microbial cellsand, therefore is the most lethal range of wavelengths.

The bactericidal mechanism of UV-C is to cause damage to their RNA andDNA, which often leads to the formation of dimers between pyrimidineresidues in the nucleic acid strands. The consequence of thismodification is that the production of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers(CPDs) causes deformation of the DNA molecule, which might cause defectsin cell replication and lead to cell death afterwards.

It is well known that prolonged and repeated exposure to UV irradiationcan damage host cells and be particularly hazardous to human skin. As tolong-term UVC irradiation of human skin, it is also known to havepotential carcinogenicity. When UVC irradiation is applied to treatlocalized infections, one must consider the possible side-effects of UVCdelivered at effective antimicrobial fluences on normal mammalian cellsand tissue. The safety issue of UVC germicidal treatment requires thatthe pathogenic microbe is selectively eradicated while the normal tissuecells are spared.

It has been found that no significant adverse effects were induced inhuman primary corneal epithelial cells when the cells were exposed to1.93 mJ/cm2 UVC (265 nm), which induced 100% inhibition of growth of allthe bacterial species cultured on agar plates. UVC has been used toreduce pathogen contamination of platelet concentrates. The resultsshowed UVC inactivated more than 4 log 10 Gram-positive S. aureus,Bacillus cereus and S. epidermidis, and Gram-negative E. coli, P.aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Most of the experimental results mentioned above suggest that UVC atappropriate fluences does not cause significant damages to host cellsand tissues. However, UVC irradiation still has potential to inducenonspecific damage. Studies demonstrated that the DNA of mammalian cellscould indeed be damaged by UVC at its effective antimicrobial fluences.Fortunately however, at the same time, the DNA repairing enzymes of thehost cells could rapidly repair the damaged DNA. In addition, tominimize the UVC-induced non-specific damage, the intact skin around thearea to be treated could be shielded from UVC illumination. On the otherhand, application of UVC is limited in some special locations due to itsdetrimental effects such as infections of the eyes.

A study presented by Taylor et al., reported that the mean bacterial CFUin joint arthroplasty surgical wounds was reduced by 87% with 0.1 mW/cm2(P<0.001) and 92% with 0.3 mW/cm2 (P<0.001) of UVC. Thai et al. used UVCirradiation to treat cutaneous ulcers infected with MRSA. In all threepatients, UVC treatment reduced the bacterial burden in wounds andpromoted wound healing. Two patients had complete wound closurefollowing 1 week of UVC treatment. Another trial was carried out by thesame investigators in 22 patients with chronic ulcers manifesting atleast two signs of infection and critically colonized with bacteria. Thepatients received a single UVC treatment and demonstrated significantlyreductions of the bacterial burden. In a study, thirty patients withmild-to-moderate toenail onychomycosis were used to treat with UVC.Improvement by at least 1 measurement point was achieved in 60% ofpatient at 16-week follow-up compared with baseline. There were someunusual and slight side effects such as temporary mild eythema of thetreated toe. In addition to the inactivation of microbial cells in thecutaneous wound, UVC exposure is beneficial for wound healing bypromoting the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) andtransforming growth factor, although the exact mechanisms of UVC forwound healing is still unclear. Others have investigated theprophylactic efficacies of UVC irradiation in 18 cases of catheterexit-site infections. Although five cases remained unchanged, ten cases(55%) became culture negative and a further three cases showed amicrobial decrease.

In summary, it has been known during the past one-hundred years that UVCirradiation is highly bactericidal; however, using UVC illumination forthe prophylaxis and treatment of localized infections is still at veryearly stages of development. Most of the studies are limited to in vitroand ex vivo levels, while in vivo animal studies and clinical studiesare much rarer. A major advantage of using UVC over antibiotics is thatUVC can eradicate resistant and pathogenic microorganisms much morerapidly without any systemic side-effects. UVC may also be much morecost effective than the commonly used antibiotics.

As can be seen, there is a delicate balance between killing pathogens ona surface (e.g., skin, instruments) and emitting too much UVC so as todamage the skin or affect one's eyesight. In the past, others havedisclosed devices that are intended to kill pathogens through UVemission, for example, US Pat. Pub. 20110037002 to Johnson, but thesedevices rely heavily on human operation, including triggers that requirea human to judge when sufficient radiation is emitted to kill theanticipated pathogens while limiting the amount of radiation to safelevels for human coexistence. Having a trigger creates a reliance uponthe user to hold the trigger for an appropriate amount of time, enoughtime to kill the pathogens and not too much time as to damage the targetmaterial or tissue.

What is needed is a system/device that will expose an object (e.g.,instrument) or a locale of a human (or animal) to UVC and ozone toreduce or eliminate pathogens.

SUMMARY

The disclosed system for directly radiating an object or skin generallyrelates to using UV-C radiation in combination with ozone to eradicatedeadly pathogens (germs and viruses, spores and fungus) forsterilization. In some embodiments, t disclosed system relates to adevice that will be used both prior to surgery and/or prior to closingan incision following surgery. In some embodiments, the disclosed systemis activated by a person placing the head of the device above thewound/incision site and activating the sterilization process by, forexample, stepping on a foot control device. Once activated, the devicewill activate UV-C bulbs that emit UV-C radiation and ozone to sterilizeobjects or the wound/incision site. Both UV-C radiation and ozone areprovided to kill/neutralize certain pathogens that are notkilled/neutralized by ultraviolet light alone. The devices, wound,incision site, or pre-incision site will be exposed for a time specifiedby and controlled by, for example, an electronic timer or programmaticdelay.

In one embodiment, a system for directly radiating skin is disclosedincluding an enclosure having one or more ultraviolet emitters housedtherein and configured to selectively emit ultraviolet light from thehousing onto a surface where the ultraviolet light produces ozone at thesurface. There is a mechanism for detecting contact with the surface anda mechanism for connecting a source of power to the one or moreultraviolet emitters for a period of time responsive to detecting thatthe enclosure is positioned against the surface.

In another embodiment, a method of radiating skin is disclosed includingproviding a system that selectively emits ultraviolet light. The systemhas one or more skin contact detectors. The system that selectivelyemits ultraviolet light is placed against skin, thereby the one or moreskin contact detectors detecting contact with the skin. Responsive todetecting the system being placed against the skin, the system thatselectively emits ultraviolet light emits the ultraviolet light and theultraviolet light and produces ozone at the skin. After delaying for aperiod of time, the system that selectively emits ultraviolet light isdisabled, thereby stopping emission of the ultraviolet light andstopping production of the ozone.

In another embodiment, a system for radiating skin is disclosedincluding an enclosure having therein one or more ultraviolet emittersthat are covered by a filter. The filter passes ultraviolet light fromthe one or more ultraviolet emitters. The one or more ultravioletemitters are configured to emit ultraviolet light from the housing,through the filters, and onto a surface of the skin where ozone isproduced by the ultra-violet light. There is a mechanism for detectingcontact with the surface of the skin that is configured to prevent theone or more ultraviolet emitters from emitting the ultraviolet lightuntil contact is made with the surface of the skin and there is a timerthat is configured to connect a source of power to the one or moreultraviolet emitters for a period of time responsive to the contactbeing made with the surface of the skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill inthe art by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for directly radiating skin.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device head showing some of thecomponents incorporated in the head of the system for directly radiatingskin.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device head showing a protectiveshield.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the system for directly radiating skin.

FIG. 5 illustrates a hand-held version of the system for directlyradiating objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description,the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Throughout this description, the term “sterilize” is used to describethe act of killing pathogens. Although “sterile” often refers tosomething being void of pathogens, the term “sterilize” is the processof destroying (killing or disabling) microorganisms, as it isanticipated that most or all pathogens will be destroyed, thoughdepending on UVC dosage and ozone exposure, it is anticipated that notall pathogens will be destroyed with each use of the describedapparatus.

Throughout this description, the system is described as a system todirectly radiate a surface (e.g., a wound), for example, an area inwhich an incision will be made, an incision that was made during anoperation, either an open incision or a closed incision—closed by, forexample, stitches, medical instruments, etc. The wound is alsoanticipated to be a wound that has occurred by accident (e.g., anabrasion or dog bite) or due to an ailment such as a bed sore, etc.There is no limitation on how the described system is used. For example,it is fully anticipated that the described system be used to radiate anarea of skin where there is no wound, for example, before an incision ismade, etc.

Ultraviolet radiation is well known for its ability to eradicate deadlypathogens. However, the time required to do so is a seriousconsideration as extended exposure to UV-C has the potential of beingharmful to tissue/skin around wound/incision sites. The system fordirectly radiating a wound herein described circumvents the potentialdangers of exposure by reducing the time necessary for eradication ofdeadly pathogens by incorporating a short burst of ozone. The ozone actsas a catalyst to destroy the protective membrane (shell) that surroundscertain pathogens that are capable of causing an infection that iscapable of leading to death. By reducing the time needed to expose thesurrounding skin the system for directly radiating a wound reducespotential dangers of exposure to UV-C and at the same time reduces thetime necessary for the sterilization process.

The invention generally relates to using ultraviolet radiation incombination with ozone to eradicate deadly pathogens (germs and viruses,spores and fungus) to sterilize, for example, an object or awound/incision site. The invention relates to a system for directlyradiating a surface of an object or a wound either prior to surgery,prior to closing an incision following surgery, or at any time. Thissystem for directly radiating a surface is activated, for example, by aperson placing the head of the device above the surface, wound/incisionand initiating UV-C bulbs to therefore emit ozone which will sterilize(kills a number of pathogens) at the wound/incision site using UV-Cradiation and ozone. The surface or wound/incision site will be exposedfor a time specified by and controlled by an electronic timer thatbegins by, for example, when the device is at an appropriate proximityto the target wound/incision site. Once activated, the system fordirectly radiating a surface produces both UV-C and ozone on thesurface/wound/incision area. For example, the period of time is from 5to 100 seconds, which is sufficient to kill/disable pathogens but shortenough to prevent damage to the skin.

Although shown attached to an articulating arm 3 in FIGS. 1-3 , it isequally anticipated that the system for directly radiating objects 1 ishand-held as shown in FIG. 5 , for example, held by a person over atarget surface 15 such as a wound, a scalpel, bedsheets, etc.

In some embodiments, the system for directly radiating a surfacedescribed herein incorporates a protective shield that is designed todirect the UV-C plus ozone light to the wound/incision site and at thesame time protecting the user from unnecessary exposure the both UV-Cand ozone.

In some embodiments, the system for directly radiating a surface orwound incorporates safety sensors to ensure that the device is activatedonly when it is in optimal position. This prevents the system fordirectly radiating a surface from emitting UV-C until it is in position(e.g., against the patient's skin).

In a report titled, “Ultraviolet C irradiation: an alternativeantimicrobial approach to localized infections?”, by Dai Tianhong etal., it is reported that the mean bacterial CFU in joint arthroplastysurgical wounds was reduced by 87% with 0.1 mW/cm² (P<0.001) and 92%with 0.3 mW/cm² (P<0.001) of UVC. Thaihong et al. used UVC irradiationto treat cutaneous ulcers infected with MRSA. In all three patients, UVCtreatment reduced the bacterial burden in wounds and promoted woundhealing. Two patients had complete wound closure following 1 week of UVCtreatment. Another trial was carried out by the same investigators in 22patients with chronic ulcers manifesting at least two signs of infectionand critically colonized with bacteria. The patients received a singleUVC treatment and demonstrated significantly reductions of the bacterialburden.

Boker et al., “A single-center, prospective, open-label, pilot study ofthe safety, local tolerability, and efficacy of ultraviolet-C (UVC)phototherapy” describes a study that enrolled thirty patients withmild-to-moderate toenail onychomycosis to treat with UVC. Improvement byat least 1 measurement point was achieved in 60% of patient at 16-weekfollow-up compared with baseline. There were some unusual and slightside effects such as temporary mild eythema of the treated toe. Inaddition to the inactivation of microbial cells in the cutaneous wound,UVC exposure is beneficial for wound healing by promoting the expressionof basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor,although the exact mechanisms of UVC for wound healing is still unclear.

The Dai Tianhong report cites Shimomura et al. as having investigatedthe prophylactic efficacies of UVC irradiation in 68 cases of catheterexit-site infections. Although five cases remained unchanged, ten cases(55%) became culture negative and a further three cases showed amicrobial decrease.

In “Efficacy of an Ozone-Generating Whole-Shoe Disinfection Device atThree Time Points,” 27 Aug. 2019, by NSF International Laboratories,efficacy of a device that emits UVC as well as ozone aimed at the soleof a shoe is analyzed. The tests were performed by exposing cultures ofvarious pathogens to UVC and ozone for various amounts of time (6, 8,and 10 seconds), for example, showing 99.8% to 99.9% reduction in MRSA.The device tested emits a fixed amount of UVC (and hence ozone) for afixed amount of time, but does not have the ability to adjust the timeand/or intensity of the UVC, and hence, ozone generation.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an embodiment of the systemfor directly radiating objects 1 is shown in an exemplary physicalembodiment. This embodiment of the system for directly radiating objects1 includes a base 2 for housing electrical components (see FIG. 4 ), anarticulating arm 3 hingedly connected to the base, an optionalcounter-weight 4, a head 5 having there within the ultraviolet emitters70 (see FIG. 4 ) that also emit ozone, optional handles 6, positionsensors 7, a computer display 8, indicator light 9 (e.g., LEDs), acontrol panel 10, an optional lock 11, electrical cord 12, an optionalfoot control 13, wheels 14 and a camera 15. Although shown as afloor-based system, it is fully anticipated that system for directlyradiating objects 1 be embodied in a hand-held device 1A including thehead 5 with all controls, ultraviolet emitters 70, etc., contained therewithin the head 5 (see FIG. 5 ).

Note that in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 , the position sensors 7 arelocated around a periphery of the head 5 such that, when the head 5 ispositioned over a zone of a surface to be radiated with the ultravioletlight, the position sensors 7 contact only peripheral areas of the zoneof the surface so as to not apply pressure to, for example, a wound orincision.

The ultraviolet emitters 70 preferably emit ultraviolet radiation atwavelengths that kill/disable pathogens and also generate ozone, asozone is a gas that is known to aid in the destruction/disablement ofcertain pathogens that may not be killed solely by ultraviolet light.For example, the ultraviolet emitters 70 emit at a wavelength of around254 nm to kill/disable many pathogens and emit at a wavelength of 185 nmto generate ozone to kill/disable some hard to kill pathogens such asMRSA, etc. In such, it is fully anticipated that a single ultravioletemitter 70 emit both wavelengths of radiation or some of the ultravioletemitters 70 emit at one wavelength of radiation and other of theultraviolet emitters 70 emit at another wavelength of radiation. Thereis no limitation on the types and configuration of ultraviolet emitters70 as long as the requisite wavelengths of radiation are emitted anddirected towards the wound to kill/disable pathogens in the area of thewound.

Referring to FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the above describedembodiment of the system for directly radiating objects 1 showingdetails of the head 5, position sensors 7, handles 6, and one or moreultraviolet emitting bulbs 70. In some embodiments, there are additionalLEDs 17 to shed visible light on the patient while positioning the head5. This emission of visible light aids in locating of the head as wellas providing feedback to the technician as to where the ultravioletlight is or will be irradiating, as ultraviolet light is not visible tohumans.

The head 5 includes one or more ultraviolet emitters 70 (e.g.,ultraviolet emitting tubes, ultraviolet emitting light emitting diodesor LEDs, etc.) and, for protection from electrical shock, it ispreferred that the one or more ultraviolet emitting bulbs 70 beprotected by a cover 71 that is made of a sturdy material thatefficiently passes ultraviolet light in both the wavelengths that areknown to kill/neutralize pathogens (e.g., 254 nm) and wavelengths thatare known to create the requisite ozone (O₃) (e.g., 185 nm). In someembodiments, the cover 71 comprises fused silica. In a less preferredembodiment, the cover comprises fused quartz.

Referring to FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the above describedembodiment of the system for directly radiating objects 1 showing aprotective shield 18. The protective shield 18 is made of a pliablematerial such as rubber or soft plastic that, when pressed against, forexample, a patient's skin, conforms to contours of the patient's skin,thereby sealing against the patient's skin and reducing emissions ofultraviolet light from the one or more ultraviolet emitting bulbs 70, assuch emissions have the potential to affect the technician's anddoctor's eyesight. As it is difficult to see ultraviolet light (humaneyes typically do not visualize ultraviolet light), the optional LEDs 17provide visible light emanating from the head 5, beneath the protectiveshield 18. Therefore, should the protective shield 18 not seal properlyagainst the surface or patient's skin, the technician/doctor is able tosee the visible light and can adjust the head 5 or stop operation of theone or more ultraviolet emitting bulbs 70.

Referring to FIG. 4 , block diagram showing an exemplary electricalsub-system 96 of the system for directly radiating objects 1 is shown.This is an example of one implementation, utilizing a processor 100 tocontrol operation of the system for directly radiating objects 1. Thereare many other implementations anticipated, with or without the use of aprocessor 100 or processing element 100.

The exemplary processor-based sub-system 96 is shown having a singleprocessor 100, though any number of processors 100 is anticipated. Manydifferent computer architectures are known that accomplish similarresults in a similar fashion and, again, the present invention is notlimited in any way to any particular processor 100 or computer system.In this exemplary processor-based sub-system 96, the processor 100executes or runs stored programs that are generally stored for executionwithin a memory 102. The processor 100 is any processor or a group ofprocessors, for example an Intel 80051 or processors that are known asProgrammable Logic Controllers (PLCs).

The memory 102 is connected to the processor as known in the industryand the memory 102 is any memory or combination of memory types suitablefor operation with the processor 100, such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, RDRAM,DDR, DDR-2, flash, EPROM, EEPROM, etc. The processor 100 is connected tovarious devices (e.g., sensors, relays, lights, etc.) by any knowndirect or bus connection.

For AC powered operation, AC power is conditioned and regulated by apower regulator 110, as known in the industry. The power regulator 110provides power for operation of the one or more devices that emitultraviolet radiation 70, for the processor 100, and for any othercomponent of the processor-based sub-system 96. In this example, one ormore devices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 are ultraviolet emittingbulbs 70, similar in operation to small florescent bulbs, though thepresent invention is not limited to any particular devices that emitultraviolet radiation 70; as ultraviolet emitting LEDs or anyultraviolet emitter is anticipated. In general, such devices that emitultraviolet radiation 70 operate at a specific voltage and draw atypical amount of current per specifications from suppliers of suchdevices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70. As the devices that emitultraviolet radiation 70 age or fail, in some embodiments, such aging orfailure is detected by monitoring of the current and/or voltage providedto the devices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 by one or more sensors120/125. For example, one sensor 125 monitors voltage over the devicesthat emit ultraviolet radiation 70 and another sensor 120 monitorscurrent to/from the devices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70. Outputsof the sensors 120/125 are connected to the processor 100. Upondetection of a failed or aging devices that emit ultraviolet radiation70, the processor 100 signals such aging or failure by eliminating oneor more lamps or LEDs 9, changing the color of one or more lamps or LEDs9, emitting a sound through a transducer 106, and/or sending a messagethrough the network 135 to, for example, an operations system (computer)140 that is connected to the network 135. In such, the system fordirectly radiating objects 1 includes a network adapter or modem 130 toenable communication through the network 135, for example, an operationsprocessor 140.

It is important that a certain number of devices that emit ultravioletradiation 70 are functioning in order to properly radiate the targetsurface and kill sufficient pathogens. Being that it is difficult todiscern if any of the devices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 havefailed because the devices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 typicallydo not emit visible light and/or because it is harmful to expose one'seye to the light emitted by the devices that emit ultraviolet radiation70, in some embodiments, separate current sensors 120 are configured inseries with each of the devices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70. Insuch, the processor 100 reads the current going to/from each of thedevices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 and the processor 100indicates which device(s) that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 has aged orfailed by illuminating the lamps/LEDs 9 in a certain pattern, colors, orsequence (e.g., blinking 3 times if the third device that emitsultraviolet 70 has failed) and/or encoding an indication of the faileddevices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 in a message that is sentthrough the network 135 to an operations system 140.

Also in this example, one or more sensors 90, magnetic sensors 16,and/or pressure sensors 25 are interfaced to the processor 100. Anyknown and/or future sensor 90/25 that detects proper placement isanticipated and is connected to the processor 100. In the examples shownin FIGS. 1-3 , position sensors 7 are activated as the head 5 of theexemplary system for directly radiating objects 1 is pushed against thepatient's body or a surface 15 (see FIG. 5 ), for example using sensors25 that are micro switches. There are many known proximity detectors,including pressure sensors 25 to detect pressure of the head 5 againstthe surface to be sterilized, ultrasonic distance sensor (sonar), skincontinuity sensors, mechanical switches (e.g., coupled to the positionsensors), ambient light detectors, cameras 15, magnetic sensors 16, etc.Magnetic sensors 16 are anticipated for use in sterilizing metallicmedical objects such as surgical devices, etc. In this, as the head 5the exemplary system for directly radiating objects 1 nears the medicalobject; the magnetic sensor detects the medical object and initiatesoperation of the ultraviolet light and ozone. After sufficient exposure,the medical object is turned over and as the head 5 the exemplary systemfor directly radiating objects 1 nears the second side of the medicalobject; the magnetic sensor detects the medical object and initiatesoperation of the ultraviolet light and ozone. This kills pathogens onboth sides of the medical object.

The processor monitors the status of the sensor(s) 90/25 and enables ordisables operation of the devices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70through operation of a power switching device 115 (e.g., solid-stateswitch or relay). In such, it is also anticipated that the processor 100illuminate one or more indicators 9 or LEDs to signal that the devicesthat emit ultraviolet radiation 70 are operating after detection ofproper placement of the head 5 against the patient and after supplyingpower to the devices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 throughoperation of the power switching device 115.

In some embodiments, after the processor 100 detects the properplacement of the head 5 against the patient by way of, for examplesensor(s) 90/25), the processor 100 closes the power switching device115, thereby illuminating the device(s) that emit ultraviolet radiation70 for emission of the ultraviolet light onto the patient (e.g., at alocation prior to or after an incision is made).

In some embodiments, after the processor 100 detects the properplacement of the head 5 against the patient or surface, the processor100 controls the power switching device 115 to provide anadjustable/settable flow of current to the device(s) that emitultraviolet radiation 70. In this, the processor monitors either or bothof an intensity setting 108 and/or a human operation setting 109. Basedupon the settings of either or both of an intensity setting 108 and/or ahuman operation setting 9, the processor controls the current flow tothe illuminating the device(s) that emit ultraviolet radiation 70,thereby providing a settable range of emission of the ultraviolet lightonto the patient (e.g., at a location prior to or after an incision ismade) or object. For example, if used on human skin, the human operationsetting 109 is set to on, thereby limiting the ultraviolet emissionintensity to what is recommended for human skin and, in someembodiments, further controlled by the intensity setting 108 (e.g., anup/down control, slide control, rotating control) to set an intensitylevel depending upon the anticipated microorganisms so that the humanskin is not burned. If used on an instrument, then the human operationsetting 109 is set to off and the intensity is controlled by theintensity setting 108 (e.g., an up/down control, slide control, rotatingcontrol) to a level depending upon the anticipated microorganisms.

As some device(s) that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 do not have a rangeof emission capabilities, in some embodiments, the processor 100modulates the current provided to the device(s) that emit ultravioletradiation 70 by switching on/off the power switching device 115. In someembodiments, individual device(s) that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 arecontrolled by, for example, multiple power switching devices 115, inseries with each of the sensors 120. In this way, when multipledevice(s) that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 are present, for loweremissions, less device(s) that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 areilluminated.

In some embodiments, the processor 100 also illuminates one or morelamps/LEDs 9 when the device(s) that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 areoperational to provide feedback to the technician that the sterilizationprocess is in operation. In some embodiments, the processor 100 retainspower to the devices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 until it isdetected that the technician has moved the head 5 away from thepatient's body. In other embodiments, the processor 100 retains power todevices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70 for a fixed or settablelength of time. In either embodiment, once the devices that emitultraviolet radiation 70 are shut off, any lamps/LEDs 9 that wereilluminated are extinguished to indicate to the user that thesterilization has stopped and it is safe to move the head 5. It isanticipated that, in some embodiments, a display 8 provides instructionsand the technician operates the system for directly radiating objects 1through a control panel 10, for example, a touch screen control panel ora keyboard, or any other known input device.

In some embodiments, operation of the system for directly radiatingobjects 1 is controlled by a foot control 13, for example, pressing thefoot control 13 turns on the devices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70and/or initiates a timer that turns on the devices that emit ultravioletradiation 70 for a period of time.

In some embodiments, the system for directly radiating objects 1includes one or more proximity detectors 99 that are interfaced to theprocessor as known in the industry, for example through a UniversalSerial Bus interface (USB), a serial interface such as RS-232 or RS-422,RS-485, wireless connection, etc. In such, the proximity detectors 99are, for example, bar code readers (e.g., QR code or any type of barcode), Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) readers, facialrecognition devices, retinal scanning devices, fingerprint scanners,etc. In such, the system for directly radiating objects 1 communicateswith the remote operations system to retrieve patient records related tothe patient being treated and, in some embodiments, the patient recordsare used to make system settings controlling the operation of the systemfor directly radiating objects 1, for example, the emission power and/orthe duration of emission.

The processor 100 initiates operation of the devices that emitultraviolet radiation 70 through, for example, the power switchingdevice 115 to start the reduction of pathogens in the exposed area ofthe patient's body. The processor indicates operation by, for example,illuminating one or more of the indicators 9 (e.g., LEDs), in someembodiments with a specific color, sequence, pattern, etc. In someembodiments, the processor terminates the ultraviolet emission through,for example, the power switching device 115 after a period of time,which is either predetermined globally, predetermined based upon theidentification of the user as determined by the one or more proximitydetectors 99. It is anticipated that the processor 100 query the remoteoperations system 140 to obtain information regarding the amount ofexposure time, user identities, passwords/pins, current environmentalconditions, pathogen alerts, etc. it is also anticipated that the systemfor directly radiating objects 1 include one or more environmentalsensors (not shown), coupled to the processor 100 such as temperaturesensors and humidity sensors, etc.

In some embodiments, once the processor 100 terminates the ultravioletemission, the processor notifies the user that the user of completionby, for example, illuminating or blanking one or more of the indicators9 (e.g., LEDs), in some embodiments with a specific color, sequence,pattern, etc. Also, in some embodiments, a completion record is createdfor the user. The completion record is transmitted to the operationsprocessor 140 through the network 135, stored in the memory 102 forlater retrieval, etc.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a hand-held version of the system for directlyradiating objects 1A is shown. In this, an optional handle 6A isprovided. The sensors 90 (e.g., proximity sensors, ultrasonic distancesensors, etc.) detect proximity to a target surface 19 of theobject/skin that is to be radiated with ultraviolet light (UVC) and,hence doused with ozone, Upon detecting proximity to the target surfaceby the sensors 90, the the devices that emit ultraviolet radiation 70(not shown in FIG. 5 ) are activated for a preset period of time and, insome embodiments, at a settable intensity as per an intensity settingdevice 108.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above suchthat they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially thesame way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of itsattendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. Itis also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may bemade in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereofwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or withoutsacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein beforedescribed being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. Itis the intention of the following claims to encompass and include suchchanges.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for killing pathogens present on asurface, the system comprising: an enclosure; an intensity control forsetting an ultraviolet intensity, the intensity control mechanicallyinterfaced to the enclosure; one or more ultraviolet emitters housedwithin the enclosure and configured to selectively emit ultravioletlight from the enclosure onto the surface, the ultraviolet lightconfigured to produce ozone at the surface, an intensity of theultraviolet light proportional to a setting of the intensity control;one or more sensors for detecting the proximity to the surfacecomprising an ultrasonic distance measuring system; and a timer, thetimer connecting a source of power to the one or more ultravioletemitters, and responsive to the timer, the ultraviolet emitters emit theultraviolet light at the intensity for a period of time responsive tothe one or more sensors detecting proximity to the surface.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a switch for indicating that theultraviolet light is to be directed at a living being and, responsive toactivating the switch, the intensity is limited to an acceptableintensity for the living being.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein theultraviolet emitters are controlled by varying an electrical currentpresented to the ultraviolet emitters to emit the ultraviolet light atthe intensity.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the ultravioletemitters are controlled by modulating an electrical current presented tothe ultraviolet emitters to emit the ultraviolet light at the intensity.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more ultraviolet emitterscomprise one or more ultraviolet emitting tubes.
 6. The system of claim1, wherein the one or more ultraviolet emitters comprise one or moreultraviolet light emitting diodes.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein theone or more sensors for detecting the proximity to the surface comprisesa magnetic sensor.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising anelectric current sensor interfaced in series with each of the one ormore ultraviolet emitters and if during when the source of power isconnected to the one or more ultraviolet emitters any of the electriccurrent sensors measures zero electric current, indicating that arespective one of the one or more ultraviolet emitters has failed.
 9. Amethod of killing pathogens on a surface, the method comprising: settingan intensity level; detecting proximity to a zone of the surface that isa target, the detecting is by one or more surface proximity detectors,wherein the detecting proximity to the zone of the surface comprisesusing an ultrasonic distance measurement device that detects theproximity to the zone of the surface; responsive to detecting proximityto the surface, controlling a flow of an electrical current proportionalto the intensity level to one or more ultraviolet emitters, therebyemitting ultraviolet light at the intensity level and illuminating thesurface with the ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light producingozone at the zone of the surface; delaying for a period of time; anddisabling the one or more ultraviolet emitters, thereby stopping theemitting of the ultraviolet light and stopping production of the ozoneat the zone of the surface.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the stepof controlling includes modulating the electrical current to each of theone or more ultraviolet emitters.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein thestep of controlling includes providing a limited amount of theelectrical current to each of the one or more ultraviolet emitters. 12.The method of claim 9, wherein the detecting proximity to the zone ofthe surface comprises a magnetic sensor for detecting surfaces ofmagnetic materials.
 13. A hand-held system for killing pathogens on asurface, the hand-held system comprising: an enclosure; an intensitycontrol, the intensity control mechanically interfaced to the enclosure;one or more ultraviolet emitters housed in the enclosure and covered bya filter, the filter passing ultraviolet light from the one or moreultraviolet emitters, the one or more ultraviolet emitters configured toemit ultraviolet light from the enclosure, through the filters and ontoa zone of a surface, whereby ozone is produced by the ultraviolet light;a timer, the timer set to a predetermined period of time; an electricalswitch configured to selectively connect a source of power to the one ormore ultraviolet emitters; the electrical switch controls an electricalcurrent provided to the one or more ultraviolet emitters proportional toa setting of the intensity control; means for detecting proximity to thesurface that comprises one or more sensors for detecting proximity tothe surface that use an ultrasonic distance measuring system; andresponsive to the means for detecting the surface indicating contactwith the surface, the timer is initiated to directly control theelectrical switch and the electrical current is provided to the one ormore ultraviolet emitters, the electrical current being proportional toa setting of the intensity control.
 14. The hand-held system of claim13, further comprises one or more visible light emitters housed in theenclosure and covered by the filter.
 15. The hand-held system of claim13, wherein the means for detecting proximity comprises one or moreposition sensors coupled to switches, the position sensors positioned ata periphery of the zone of the surface.
 16. The hand-held system ofclaim 13, wherein the means for detecting proximity comprises a magneticsensor.